It's Perfectly Normal

Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, and Sexual Health

When young people have questions about sex, real answers can be hard to find. Providing accurate, unbiased answers to nearly every imaginable question, from conception and puberty to birth control and AIDS, IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL offers young people the information they need now more than ever to make responsible decisions and to stay healthy. Already used as a trusted resource in twenty-five countries around the world (and translated into twenty-one languages), IT'S PERFECTLY NORMAL marks its tenth anniversary with a thoroughly updated edition that includes the latest information on such topics as birth control, hepatitis, HIV, and adoption, among others. This definitive new edition also reflects the recent input of parents, teachers, librarians, clergy, scientists, health professionals, and young readers themselves.

I am a teacher...
Before checking this book out, be sure to read the one, two, and three star reviews on Amazon. It is so inappropriate for a 10, 11, 12, and even 13 year olds, and I cannot *believe* it is recommended for 10 and up. Welcome to Common Core. Common Core sexualizes and desensitizes children, and this book is aligned with the current curriculum. What a disappointment. Parents beware.

This book is often banned for the illustrations and the sexual content but I think it is a great resource to have available. I can see the concern that a younger child might come across it but it is written at a level that a child younger than 10 would struggle with comprehension and the nude illustrations were not so realistic that a child would be scarred upon viewing them. My library keeps it in the YA section which I think is a good choice.

It's been awhile since I looked at this book, but it was recommended in an adult book (Hickling's "The New Speaking of Sex") about approaches to teaching children about sex in a very level, even-handed, factual and non-judgemental way. I remember being very impressed by it but, similar to another poster, I will wait till our daughter is a bit older to get this one for her. THAT BEING SAID, I *did* buy her the younger version of this, called "It's Not The Stork!" Our daugher is six and greatly enjoyed "It's Not The Stork!" It lays things out simply and in an easy-to-understand way, so for anyone looking for a way to discuss sex with their children very matter-of-factly, this line of books is excellent. As parents, we have a duty to our children NOT to raise them thinking that sex is dirty, bad, taboo, or something they can never ask us about. We need to learn NOT to be uncomfortable about it FOR THEM, so they can grow up with a healthy attitude towards this important part of who they are. If a book like this makes you queasy, perhaps you need to examine your own attitudes/perceptions/sexuality, to be as healthy as you can be about it, too. Totally agree with chirschi, below, on this: "A good resource to empower kids with straight facts in a plain and frank manner and avoid misinformation from peers and media."

EuSei
Aug 17, 2012

This book has a V-E-R-Y detailed, graphic, colorful picture of a “vulva,” and explains that “when the cl*toris is touched and rubbed, a female body feels good both outside and inside. It feels sexy.” Sexy?! I bet your kid would like to try that one! It goes on to explain sexual desire and that “[girls and boys] have crushes on people of the same sex, as well as on people of the opposite sex”. Chapter 3 has a very graphic picture of a girl bending forward and analyzing her parts through a hand mirror. Chapter 4, “Making Love, Sexual Intercourse,” comes complete with a color picture of a naked couple performing sex. It teaches your mature 10 year-old that “sexual intercourse happens when a female and a male feel very sexy…” The “sexy” thing again… The next chapter, “Straight and Gay, Heterosexuality and Homosexuality,” conveys that homosexuality is so normal that it was practiced not only by Sapho but also by those manly men, the Spartan soldiers. Oh, the great things your kid will learn in this book… People who disapprove of homosexuality or bisexuality are portrayed as ignorant bigot, homophobe, and know “little or nothing about homosexuals, [their] views are often based on fears or misinformation, not on facts [and] hate homosexuals only because they are homosexuals.” Chapter 16, “Perfectly Normal, Masturbation,” your kid will be taught the joys of the procedure: it is fun and natural, and “people of all ages masturbate–babies, kids, teenagers, grown-ups, and the elderly.” The concept would not be wholly conveyed to your child without a graphic description of “orgasm.” The most misleading and dangerous information conveyed by this troubling book is that condoms make it safer to have sex with a partner with HIV. While the book mentions abortion as an option, this procedure surprisingly is not depicted. I almost want to suggest that the artist add several pictures of a D&X (dilate and extract) and partial-birth abortion.

chirschi
Aug 10, 2012

Authors do a good job of presenting the facts of sex and sexuality, babies, and related issues to puberty-aged kids. In response to other comments, yes this includes detailed anatomy illustrations (sometimes whimsically executed, re: girl with hand mirror), and sexual response, including that of the female, and description of what masturbation is. Many illustrations throughout. A good resource to empower kids with straight facts in a plain and frank manner and avoid misinformation from peers and media. Stresses that it's important to wait for sex at least until older (preferrably much older) and the importance of and reasons for 'safer sex'. Content is presented candidly with descriptions of some prevalent values but without value judgements. It is left to parents to provide an overlay of values. A great book for those who believe that information is not the same as--nor will be perceived by children as--permission. Useful for those who understand that kids will be thinking about and having questions about these things whether we like it or not, and earlier than we think. Cover recommends 10+ yrs old. 10 might be a bit young, but every parent should look at a book like this first and decide when it is right for their child.

chirschi
Aug 10, 2012

Authors do a good job of presenting the facts of sex and sexuality, babies, and related issues to puberty-aged kids. In response to other comments, yes this includes detailed anatomy illustrations (sometimes whimsically executed, re: girl with hand mirror), and sexual response, including that of the female, and description of what masturbation is. Many illustrations throughout. A good resource to empower kids with straight facts in a plain and frank manner and avoid misinformation from peers and media. Stresses that it's important to wait for sex at least until older (preferrably much older) and the importance of and reasons for 'safer sex'. Content is presented candidly with descriptions of some prevalent values but without value judgements. It is left to parents to provide an overlay of values. A great book for those who believe that information is not the same as--nor will be perceived by children as--permission. Useful for those who understand that kids will be thinking about and having questions about these things whether we like it or not, and earlier than we think. Cover recommends 10+ yrs old. 10 might be a bit young, but every parent should look at a book like this first and decide when it is right for their child.